2-prong electrical receptacles

Billt4SF

We have been here a month now and we have realized that the 2-prong electrical plugs and outlets (receptacles) are just not doing the job. They seem to make an electrical connection fine, but a very poor mechanical one. The least bit of jostling (such as moving the lamp on the table to dust it) and the plug loosens. I've tried pulling the prongs apart a bit to make a better mechanical connection but the prongs are so stiff! Any advice or solutions? Thanks, Bill

Markit

Tell me you're not trying to stick the US flat 2 prong plugs into the round Indo ones?! I've the problem of sticking the plugs in and being unable to remove them the fit is sooooo tight. Kind of like the girls here - just bragging...

Billt4SF

Markit wroteTell me you're not trying to stick the US flat 2 prong plugs into the round Indo ones?! I've the problem of sticking the plugs in and being unable to remove them the fit is sooooo tight. Kind of like the girls here - just bragging...

ha ha Are you serious that the round plugs are too tight? I wonder why they are so loose for us, both in the wall outlets and the extension cords? I would think that the prongs are the same size for every appliance...hmmmmm.... -Bill

Markit

Not joking. Wall plugs are very tight and usually corroded. Possibly buy some expansion 3er plugs for a better fit?

davita

I find a lot of Chinese made appliances come with smaller plug prongs than the Indonesian wall socket holes and therefore are loose. Also the tips are the only electrical connection, the shaft is plastic, and sometimes difficult to remove as they get stuck. Even smartphone USB charger/connectors to the wall socket, unless wiggled, often don't connect.

Billt4SF

So what do you do about these Chinese made appliances? All the appliances we have here have prongs that are all metal - no plastic - but I saw some in Singapore that were 1/2 plastic, and I wondered if they would work well (or better). We have a power strip that allows American plugs and works well for 220V-capable appliances, this fits into the wall with an adapter and has USB outlets that work well for smartphone charging. IF we can keep it plugged into the wall that is! We seem to have the most problem with all-metal prongs into the house's receptacles. maybe they used crappy receptacles when they built the building. -Bill

Markit

Billt4SF wrote maybe they used crappy receptacles when they built the building. -Bill

That will be it - might be worth investing the $5 in new innards for the sockets?

Zimbo

Billt4SF wroteWe have been here a month now and we have realized that the 2-prong electrical plugs and outlets (receptacles) are just not doing the job. They seem to make an electrical connection fine, but a very poor mechanical one. The least bit of jostling (such as moving the lamp on the table to dust it) and the plug loosens. I've tried pulling the prongs apart a bit to make a better mechanical connection but the prongs are so stiff! Any advice or solutions? Thanks, Bill

You need a thicker prong....

davita

Zimbo wroteYou need a thicker prong....

hahaha...that's exactly what my wife said and she knows nowt 'boot electrosity...:icon_wink:

YPDN

After having lived in Bali for 4 years, and also having the tightness problem when wanting to remove the plug from the wall socket, I researched and found a solution of sorts. I have concluded the stiffness problem is largely environmental. That is, living by the sea will probably be worse. It's simple. The prongs need to be cleaned off regularly and I wouldn't go spraying anything into the wall socket as some of those products are flammable. I use my fingers to clean them. Wipe the prongs clean and you'll see the difference that makes. Should last about a week. Also, use Panasonic sockets if you have the choice. Even the Bali sparkies go for those.

Markit

YPDN welcome to the forum. WD40 does a treat for the plugs and is non-flammable I believe. I recommend caution in swapping out the externals of the plugs for another make as they probably won't fit the internal casing they are supposed to go into and then you need to swap out the entire oshy (technical term) necessitating hammer and chisel and cement to replace. Take the external plug along to your faithful building supplier and see what fits.

YPDN

Thanks for the howdy.